Live every day as an adventure

Too often we go through our daily lives and forget that there is a whole world of adventure out there just waiting on us to go and find it. Remember to take the long way to work, the path less traveled, even a dirt road if you can find it!

Jason Smith about.me/theoriginaljasonsmith

Looking for merchandise?

I may have something. Some original limited artwork, in a hard glossy Velcro patch, or magnet. Also available in a button. Drop me a line through the contact form on the main page, 'donations' accept but not required. 

Jason Smith about.me/theoriginaljasonsmith

Why be prepared?

Why should you plan and be prepared before going on an outdoor adventure? Here are a couple of perfect examples:

Zion National Park

The two Search and Rescue (SAR) call-outs on July 30, 2018, are good reminders of the need for visitors to take trip planning and their safety seriously. Both incidents occurred in the Left Fork of North Creek, on a popular permitted route known as "The Subway".

One group disregarded and mocked a ranger's advice when they picked up their permit. The ranger recommended they bring a rope and multiple harnesses for at least one of the rappels, but the leader of the group, who had been there before, said that they could cross the log and find an easier way down. When the ranger reported that the log was washed out last year and recommended the gear, the group dismissed the information and left. Later, rangers received a report that a member of the group had a knee injury at the top of the last rappel. Since the log that made it easier to cross the creek was gone, members were making a 6-7 foot jump. One person had landed badly. A medic and two others responded and spent Monday night with the patient. A helicopter from the Grand Canyon was brought in for a short-haul operation this morning.

Another group displayed poor decision making, wore inappropriate footwear, and lost the route several times. After getting lost early in the day, they reached the "Subway" feature late Sunday night and spent an unexpected night in the canyon. In the morning, they got lost again, passing the exit route, and continuing downstream. At some point they decided to try to climb a cliff face to reach the road. When heat exhaustion set in, they activated their emergency locator and reported a heat related illness. SAR responders were able to locate the group. After administering fluids, rangers assisted the group back to the trailhead.

 "Visitors need to take their safety seriously and act responsibly," says Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh. "Park Rangers are here to advise and assist visitors planning challenging trips in the backcountry, but ultimately preparations and proper equipment is the visitor's responsibility. Given the number of fires throughout the West and the assignment of aviation assets to them, it was fortunate that the Grand Canyon helicopter was able to respond quickly and that the first group had an emergency beacon, but that is not always the case. Please prepare carefully and plan ahead for unexpected events that might occur in this wonderful, but at times, unforgiving landscape."

I may go out alone, I don't have a personal location beacon, but I always plan and am always prepared. A great reminder, even in a national park. It is mostly wild area, it is not Disneyland, things out there can seriously hurt and even kill you if not prepared. Stay safe. 

Jason Smith about.me/theoriginaljasonsmith

Nice to get some much needed moisture. Loving my time out away from the hustle of town. #desertliving #overlandbound #wonderlust #ob1699

via Instagram

#tbt The mighty Soul! What a fun car. I took it places it never should have gone! #overlandbound #desertliving #wonderlust #ob1699

via Instagram https://ift.tt/2AxWRDb

What a day!

Shortly after getting to work today, I received a call from the Mrs. her dad had a medical emergency while on a plane flying into Las Vegas. I dropped everything and ran home to get her and headed to Vegas. 

A little over two hours early we arrived and got the complete story. He and his wife had been in Fairbanks Alaska visiting family. Through all the excitement and fun they had, sleep and a good diet was not happening. 

They tried to get some sleep on the trip home, but between turbulence and restless passengers they didn't get any rest till the last leg of the trip. They were an hour out from Vegas when after falling asleep my father-n-law started having seizures. Afterwards he started violently vomiting to make matters worse. 

Once on the ground they took vitals which didn't show anything major. High glucose levels slight dehydration low oxygen and an elevated blood pressure they decided to transport him to the hospital by ambulance. 

Once at the emergency room they got him stable and into an observation room to get some rest. All other tests were inconclusive so in the am they will be administering some additional tests. 

We visited for a while, went on a food run for him and his wife, and asked if there was any other thing they needed. The plan going forward is for them both to get some rest, and if they don't we will drive back down to get them home. 

So nine hours later we are back home. Tired but a little less stressed. The staff at the hospital seemed to be good, so at least tonight there is nothing to worry about. 

Jason Smith about.me/theoriginaljasonsmith

Sorry for the double posts

I am not understanding why posts are doubling up. I like to forward my Instagram posts to the blog, its an easy fast way to add content here, but for some unknown reason it keeps either doubling up or stopping altogether. I'm working on a solution, so please stay patient. In other news we have had nonexistent internet in our secondary location, and I'm glad to announce that it has been resolved. With luck I can get some more content up on the Blog without taking several hours to post.